Edible Science: The Disappearing Eggshell Experiment

The disappearing eggshell experiment was a lot of fun. This experiment is part of our edible science series but I personally would not eat these eggs. The kids did not think this one would work at all but were amazed even after 4 hours at how well the vinegar was dissolving the shell of the egg. Follow along if you like and maybe you can do what we didn’t have time to do, throw the shell-less egg, and see what happens. Does it bounce or go splat?

Our Hypothesis:

Which liquid works best dissolving an eggshell?

Edible Science: The Disappearing Egg Shell Experiment

Recipe Type: Edible Science

Author: Unschooling Paradise

Serves: 0

You can use any solution but we found vinegar works the best.

Ingredients

4 eggs –
Coke Cola
Finger Nail Polish Remover
White Vinegar
4 Clear cups
** 2 cups white vinegar – so you can do next week’s science experiment**

Instructions

Label the four cups
Pour a little of each liquid into the appropriately labeled cup and place the egg in the liquid. Finish by pouring enough liquid to cover each egg
Set aside for 24 hours
Very carefully take the egg out of the cup and pour out the old liquid, replace with new liquid
Let’s sit for another 24 hours
Take a look to see which liquid worked the best

What we discovered

We found that White Vinegar works the best and it was neat to see the egg floating and bubbling as the shell dissolved. The egg that was in the coke also bubbled however I think that is because coke is carbonated. I don’t think even given more time that the coke could eat through the eggs shell. The nail polish remover caused the eggs shell to form bumps.

The science behind it:

Vinegar contains acidic acid which breaks apart the calcium carbonate molecules. This separates the calcium and carbonates apart and makes the calcium float. The bubbles are the vinegar breaking down the shell. It feels like a bouncy ball but is very fragile.